Bracelet construction



July 9, 1929. o. L. GAMMELL ET AL.

BRACELET CONSTRUCTI ON Filed April 6, 1928 ATTORNEY Patented July 9, 1929. i

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OVE L. GAMMELL AND ROLAND W. WOODWARD, OF ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, AS- YSIGNORS TO SMITH & CROSBY, OF NORTH ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, A CO- PARTNERSHIP COMPOSED OF ALFRED D. CROSBY AND GEORGE H. CROSBY.

BRACELET CONSTRUCTION.

Application led April 6,

This invention relates to construction for .bracelets and the like and more particularly to clasps or detachable connections therefor.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a clasp or connector for bracelets and the like which affords a secure connection. Another object. is to provide a device of the above nature which is convenient to operate for making and breaking the connecia tion. Another object. is to provide a device of the above nature which is well adapted for use in an eXtensible bracelet for wrist watches or the like and which may be made to harmonize with the other parts of the bracelet. An-

other object is to provide a construction of the above nature which is strong and durable. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangements of parts, all as will be illustratively described herein, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing, in which is shown one of the various possible embodiments of this invention,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the middle portion of a bracelet, showing the clasp closed and joining the bracelet ends together;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section taken as indicated by the line 3 3 in Fig. Q and showing'the clasp or 1g, connector separated;

Fig. 4 is a section taken substantiallyv as indicated by the line 4.4 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a section taken as indicated by the line 5 5 in Fig. 4;

.10 Fig. 6 is an end view of the left-hand part of the clasp as viewed in the preceding tigures; and

Fig. ,7 is a perspective view of one of the parts. Y

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Referring now tothe drawing in detail, the p clasp or connector is shown employed in the sa middle of a bracelet which may be used as a 192.8. Serial N0. 267,849.

wrist watch bracelet. In Figs. 1 and 2, there are shown, at 10, 11, 12 and 13, respectively, four of the bracelet units which make up the body of the bracelet. These bracelet units are preferably identical in construction, and comprise an outer member and an inner sliding member, between which a spring acts tending to hold the sliding member within the outer member and to maintain the bracclet in contracted form. As may be seen in Figs.- 1 to 4, each of the bracelet units preferably comprises an outer box-like member 14, within which is positioned a frame 15, the

` frame 15 having a pair of lugs or trunnions 16 which extend into recesses 17 in the side walls of the outer shells 14 and hold the frames 15 fixedly in position; also, within each of the outer members 14 is a sliding member 18 which is, as shown in Fig. 4, in the shape of a band having a top wall, a bottom wall and end walls. A coil spring 19 acts between an end wall of the member 18 and an end wall of the frame 15, tending to hold the sliding member 18 in retracted position within the outer member.

The frame 15 has at one end inwardly projecting fingers 15a which project into the next adjoining unit and hook over the end wall of the sliding member 18 thereof to join the two bracelet units together. In this'manner, an eXtensible bracelet is had, the inner sliding members 18 yielding against the action of the spring 19 and sliding out of their respective outer members to effect lengthening of the bracelet. 35

The construction of the bracelet units 10, 11, 12 and 13 need not be gone into in further detail herein because, in and of themselves, they do notform a part of the present invention. However, the invention is shown herein applied to a bracelet of this particular type and, in certain respects as will be pointed out more fully hereinafter, the invention achieves particular advantages in this relation.

Considering now the right-hand bracelet end, as viewed in the drawing, connected to the bracelet unit 12 is a bracelet unit 20, which is of substantially the same construction as lthe units 10, 1l, 12 and 13, except that the 100 frame member therein is slightly shorter so that the fingers 15a do not project from the end of the outer shell 14. 'Within the bracelet unit 2O is a sli-ding link member 18, which is substantially the same as the members 18 of the bracelet units forming the body ofthe bracelet, except that it is a little shorter, and within the unit is also a spring 19 acting between the frame 15 and the member 18, tending to hold the member 18 in the retracted position shown. The lingers 15u of the bracelet unit 12 engage the end wall of the sliding member 18 of the unit 2() to connect the units together. j

Projecting outwardly from the unit 2O is a nemb'er 21, which is in the shape of a flat tongue; As shown in Fig. 4, the rightshand end of the member 21 projects within the unit 20, resting close against the top wall thereof, and has a downwardly projecting flange 22 which rests in back of the ears or fingers 15a of the unit 20. Thus, the frame 15 of the end unit 20, built substantially as are the frames of the units forming the body of the bracelet, serves for the connection of the tongue 21. Considering now the left-hand bracelet en'd, as viewed in the drawing, connected to the braceletunit 14 is an Aend unit comprising an outer shell 23, which is prefe 'ably substantially identical with the outer shells of theother bracelet units. Vithin this member 23 is secured a member 24, which has an end wall similar to the corresponding ends of the sliding link members 18. Thelingers 15a ofthe unit 14 take in back of this end wall 25 to connect the end unit 23 to the unit 14. The member 24 may be secured within the member by solderingor any suitable securing means.v As shown in Fig. 4, the member 24 rests against the bottom wall 23a of the unit 23 at its two ends, the member being curved downwardly at 25L near the end wall 25 and havingvat the other end a pair of downwardly extending `lugs or flanges 23, the latter being shown more clearly in Fig. 6. Bent up from the body of the member 24 are two upstandin'g lugs or flanges 27 and 28, the upper ends of which are spaced from the inner side of the top wall 23h.

Supported -upon the upper side of the member 24 is a spring catch member which is most clearly seen i-n Fig.y 3. This spring member is substantially U-shaped, comprising two a1fmsf29 and 3f) which extend along the inner sides of the side walls 23C and 23d, and a connecting part31. The connecting part 31 of thcspring ymember rests in back of the lug 27, and -the spring member is secured -in place by soldering between the part 31 and the part 27. At their free ends the arms 29 and 30 have widened parts 29n and 30a, respectively, and at the inner sides of these two parts are a pair o-f upwardly .projecting lugs 32 and 33. Also extending from the parts 29"L and 30a are finger pieces 34 and 35 which project outwardly through slots in the respective side walls 23c and 23d.

The tongue 21 attached to the end bracelet unit 21, above described, is received between the wall 23b and the arms 29 and 30 of the spring member, and it fits'snugly between these parts, as shown in Fig. 5. Also, the tongue 21 lits closely between the side walls 23c and 23d, so that no transverse play develops when the clasp is connected.

In the bottom surface of the tongue 21 is formed a longitudinal groove shaped as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. This groove 36 has a wide mouth at the endvof the tongue 21, and the sides thereof converge in smooth curves until shoulders 37 and 38 are reached.

When the tongue 21 is moved into the end of unit 23, the lugs 32 and 33 come against and move along the inclined walls of the groove 36, thus drawing the two spring arms 29 and 30 together. Whe-n the tongue has been fully inserted, the lugs 32 and 33 snap in back of the shoulders 37 and 38, the arms 29 and 30 springingcutwardly to the posi e tion shown in the drawing. Vhen the tongue is inserted, the upper surface of the flange 28 on the member 24 rides'along the base of the groove 36. At the end of the member 24 is an upwardly projecting flange 39, which is of lesser height than the flanges 27 and 28. The upper edge of this flange 39 is substantially level with the upper surfaces of lthe spring arms 29 and 30 as shown in Fig. 6, and the bottom surface of the tongue 21 on either side of the groove 36 rides across this flange 39 and into place over the spring .arms 29 and 30. As shown in Fig. 4, the tongue 21 is conveniently made intwo parts, ycomprising an upper member 21a and `a bottom member 2lb,

the latterbeing shaped `to provide the groove 36 and the shoulders 37 and the flange 22.

j It will thus be seen 'that there is provided aconstruction of a simple and inexpensive character which embodies ya secure fastening. In order to release the ycatch both of the ylugs 34 and 35 must be pressed inwardly thus safeguarding against accidental detachment. (ln the other hand, intentional release is readily achieved by the simultaneous pressure of the'thumb and finger on these two lugs. The action is positive and the parts readily assembled and taken apart. Furthermore, the bracelet itself coacts with the features of the clasp to provide a neat and 'attractive appearance and to facilitate the anchorage of the clasp parts.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention, and as many changes might be made in Vthe embodiment above set forth, .it is to be Iunderstood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in thevaccompanying drawing, is to be interpreted as illustrativeand not in a limiting sense.

lim

le claim 1. In construction for bracelets and the like, in combination, a bracelet end having a projecting tongue, a second bracelet end adapted to receive said tongue and having side walls between which said tongue fits, and a spring catch member in said second bracelet end, comprising two opposed holding parts tending normally to spring outwardly from one another and linger pieces thereon projecting outwardly through said side walls, said tongue having means thereon adapted to force said holding parts apart and interlock therewith to secure said bracelet ends together.

2. In construction for bracelets and the like, in combination, a braceletend having a top wall and side walls, a spring catch member therein extending laterally and spaced from said top wall and comprising two opposed holding parts tending normally to spring outwardly from one another and finger pieces thereon projecting outwardly through said side walls, a second bracelet end having a projecting tongue received between said catch member and said top wall, and means on the bottom side of said tongue adapted to force said holding parts apart and interlock therewith to secure said bracelet ends together.

3. In construction for bracelets and the like, in combination, a bracelet end having a top wall and side walls, a spring catch member therein extending laterally and spaced from said top wall, a second bracelet end having a projecting tongue received between said catch member and said top wall, and means on the bottom side of said tongue for cooperating with said catch member to secure said bracelet ends together, said catch member comprising a substantially U-shaped spring member having a pair of finger pieces projecting outwardly through the side walls of said first bracelet end.

4. In construction for bracelets and the like, in combination, a bracelet end having a top wall and side walls, a spring catch member therein extending laterally and spaced from said top wall, a second bracelet end having a projecting tongue received between said catch member and said top wall, and means on the bottom side of said tongue for cooperating' with said catch member to secure said bracelet ends together, said tongue fitting closely between said side walls to hold said bracelet ends against relative lateral swinging, and said catch member comprising two holding parts tending to spring outwardly toward the respective sides of the bracelet and each having a linger piece extending through the respective side walls of said first bracelet end and adapted to be pressed inwardly to release said catch.

5. In construction for bracelets and the like, in combination, a hollow bracelet end,

a substantially U-shaped spring catch member therein, a second bracelet end having a projecting tongue received within said first bracelet end between a wall thereof and said spring catch, said tongue having in its surface facing toward said catch member a longitudinalY groove narrowing from the outer end of said tongue and terminating in an inner widened part, said catch member having at its free ends a pair of lugs which projectinto said groove and coact with said widened part to secure said bracelet ends together.

6. In construction for bracelets and the like, in combination, a hollow bracelet end, a substantially U-shaped spring catch member therein, a second bracelet end having a projecting tongue received within said first bracelet end between a wall thereof and said spring catch, said tongue having in its surface facing toward said catch member a longitudinal groove narrowing from the outer end of said tongue and terminating in an inner widened part, said catch member having at its free ends a pair of lugs which project into said groove and coact with said widened part to secure said bracelet ends together, and having a pair of finger pieces projecting outwardly through the side walls of said first bracelet member and adapted to be pressed inwardly to bring said lugs into registry with the narrow end of said groove and permit said tongue to be drawn out for separating said bracelet ends.

7. In construct-ion for bracelets and the like, in combination, a hollow bracelet end, a substantially U-shaped spring member in said bracelet end, the open end of said member facing toward the open end of said bracelet member, the arms of said spring member tending to spring outwardly toward the sides of said bracelet member, a second bracelet end having a projecting part adapted to enter said first bracelet end, said projecting part having means adapted to coactV wit-h said spring member to draw the two arms thereoftoward each other as said part enters and to coact with said two arms to secure said two bracelet ends together when said projecting part has entered fully, and means for urging said two arms together to release said projecting part for separation of .said bracelet ends.

8. In construction for bracelets and the like, in combination, a hollow bracelet end, a substantially U-shaped spring member in said bracelet end, the open end of said member facing toward the open end of said bracelet member, the arms of said spring member tending to spring outwardly toward the sides of said bracelet member, and a second bracelet end having a projecting part adapted to enter said first bracelet end, said projecting part having means adapted to coact with said spring member to draw the two arms thereof toward each other as saidpart enters and to coact with said two arms to secure said two bracelet ends together when said projecting part has entered fully, said arms of said U-shaped member each having a iinger piece projecting through the respec tive sides of said hollow bracelet end and adapted to be pressed inwardly to release said projecting part for separation of said bracelet ends. 10

In testimony whereof, we have signed our naines to this specification this 29th day of March, 1928.

OVE L. GAMMELL. ROLAND `W. l/VOODVVARD. 

